Lacing



(No Model.)

G. H. DAVIS.

LAGING HOOK FOR SHOES. No. 344,636. Patented June 29, 1886.

J/VVEA/ UF My? f Nv PETERS. Phola-Uthugraphar, Washington. D. C.

GEORGE I-I. DAVIS, QF LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS.

LACING HOOK FOR SHOES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 344L636, dated June 29, 1886.

Application filed April 3, 1886. Serial No. 197,614.

to provide an elastic shoe-lacing hook or device for fastening boots or shoes, whereby the shoe, while it is held closely and securely about the ankle, is adapted to conform to the pressure and motion of the joint, thus permitting freedom and comfort of action and avoiding the inconvenience and suffering fre quently caused by a tightly and rigidly laced shoe. This object I attain by thelacinghook or device constructed and arranged for operation substantially as illustrated and hereinafter explained.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view of a shoe, showing my improved lacing devices applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lacing-hook. Fig. 3 is a top view of the two opposite lacing-hooks, with dotted lines indicating the arrangement of the lacing-cord thereon. Fig. 4 is a view of the lacing-hook on a somewhat larger scale, with dotted lines indicating the manner in which the arms spring forward when under strain.

Fig. 5 is a front view, and Fig. 6 is a crosssection, of the device.

My improved lacing hook or device is composed of a piece of wire or spring, A, the central part of which is bentinto a coil, (4, with arms a a extending outward therefrom at either side, and with loops, hooks, or studs a formed on the ends of such arms for receiving and holding the lacing or cord B. The back of the coil a is confined and supported intermediately between the hooks a by a curved clasp or piece, 0, which fits the inner side of the coil, and which is furnished with prongs or points a 0', whereby the device is secured to the shoe by passing said prongs through theleather of the upperFand clinching them upon the inner side thereof. Said clasp is provided with cars or lips 0 that loop over the wire A and retain it close to (No model.)

the surface of the leather, but not so closely as to prevent its free movement within the clasp to give the requisite springing action to the coil and arms. These devices are attached to the shoe in the manner shown, two or three (more or less) facing each other at opposite sides of the opening along the ankle or portion of the shoe that is bent by the action of the ankle-joint when walking, and the lacings B are drawn over or through the hooks a in diagonal or zigzag order from one to the other, and are then knotted or secured at the top in any suitable manner.

The lower portion of the shoe may be pro vided with eyelets along the sides of the opening, in the usual manner; or, if desired, the elastic hooks may be used throughout the length of the laced slit.

The end a of the spring-arms a may be made either as an eye, a button, or a hook, as

preferred, or as most convenient for receiving the lacing-cord B and to conform with any particular style of shoe whereon they are to be used.

With the improved lacing device herein described, having the studs or books a arranged at the ends of a spring which is secured to the upper at a position intermediate between the hooks or points at which the lacing-cord is connected thereto, the rigidity common to ordinary laced shoes is obviated, and elasticity and relief are afforded, while maintaining a close-fitting connection, by the giving forward of the hooks or studs a (see dotted line, Fig. 4,) when any undue or excessive strain is brought upon the lacing-as by the bend ing of the ankle-joint--thus preventing inconvenient pressure when walking, and afford ing a very comfortable and desirable fastening for the shoe.

NVhat I claim as of my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A lacing hook or device consisting of a spring or elastic wire having at its respective ends means for receiving and holding the lacing-cord, and intermediately thereof provided with an attaching-clasp for securing it to the upper of the shoe, substantially as here inbefore set forth.

WVitness my hand this 2d day of April, A. D. 1886.

Witnesses: GEORGE H. DAVIS.

CHAS. H. BUnLnIen, CHARLES S. Bacon. 

